Brathwaite wants good Windies to keep learning

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

WEST INDIES captain Kraigg Brathwaite has praised his charges following their commanding 201-run win over Bangladesh in the opening Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Tuesday.

The home side needed just seven overs to wrap up Bangladesh’s tail on the fifth and final day to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

The win was set up by the Windies’ batters in the first innings, with player-of-the-match Justin Greaves scoring his maiden Test century, while both Mikyle Louis and Alick Athanaze were dismissed in their 90s in a total of 450 for nine declared.

Their fast-bowling quartet of Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales, and Shamar Joseph then restricted the visitors in both innings to help set up the comfortable victory.

Speaking in a post-match interview, Brathwaite said the batsmen and the bowlers both played crucial roles in the win.

“I think the way we batted in the first innings, to put up 450 runs, I think that was great.

“Normally here in Antigua, day one especially, is usually favourable to the bowlers. The first two sessions the pitch was extremely slow and had a fair bit of moisture, and the way we went about it and got up to 450 with guys getting some big 50s and Justin Greaves getting a hundred, I think that really put us in a good position to press for the win,” Brathwaite said.

“I also think the fast bowlers worked fantastic together. I think Kemar Roach was the leader of this bowling unit on or off the field. To see how they went about it, I think the discipline was superb and we had some aggression, and I think that is important in Test cricket.

“Everyone has different skill sets in the fast-bowling unit, and I think they have a very, very bright future,” he added.

With the second Test scheduled to begin on Saturday in Jamaica, Brathwaite said the guys were relieved to have a Test win under their belts following tough series losses to England and South Africa earlier in the year.

“A lot of learning would have taken place coming from the England tour, where we didn’t win a Test match, and that was tough, but I always tell the guys to keep learning.

“Test cricket is all about learning, and coming from the last Test against South Africa to here, we’ve seen some improvements…” Brathwaite maintained.

“It was good to see, good to get a Test win, and we have to continue working hard.”